In today’s market, there are a wider variety of flooring options than ever before. When it comes to replacing or upgrading one’s flooring, there are so many options out there that it can be confusing. There are many people who have difficulty deciding whether to buy engineered or solid wood products.

It is one of the most commonly misunderstood facts about flooring as per the Hardwood Flooring companies in Rosedale. The following simple and brief explanation will guide you in the right direction. Below are a few quick points to keep in mind before deciding which of these flooring types you must choose.

The Difference – Solid Hardwood v/s Engineered Wood Flooring

Solid hardwood floors are made from the same wood species throughout their entirety, which explains why they are sometimes called solid wood floors. On the other hand, engineered flooring is made from a thin layer of hardwood on top of a plywood layer of excellent quality.

A machining facility mills the tongue and groove profile of solid wood flooring in order to enable the boards to be connected. After the boards are connected, they are nailed to the sub-floor. Engineered flooring is typically installed with nails or glue.

There can be a number of plies in engineered flooring; a greater number usually corresponds to a higher price. Engineered flooring should not be confused with bona-certified laminate flooring in Muskoka or vinyl flooring.

Solid Hardwood or Engineered Wood Flooring – Which One Should You Choose?

bona-certified laminate flooring in Muskoka

Appearance

When it comes to appearance, your selection between solid wood and engineered flooring is all a matter of personal choice and preference. Both solid wood and engineered wood flooring are available in a wide variety of timber species, grades, and colors, giving you abundant design choices for hardwood floors in kitchens and rooms.

If you prefer classic and traditional flooring, you can opt for oak or perhaps ash for a lighter, livelier touch. There’s a wide variety of fabulous hardwood types that can make the flooring look lively and classic.

A wide range of grade options is available both for engineered and solid wood floors. In contrast, prime grades contain no knots and are ideal for modern settings – rustic grades, on the other hand, contain a multitude of knots and have a stronger overall character, suitable for rustic or country settings.

In terms of solid wood floors, they tend to come unfinished, but engineered wood floors are prefinished to a specific color or shade based on your preferences. A solid wood floor would be a better choice if you intend to refinish it in the future.

In terms of appearance both engineered and solid wood floors look incredible. Your choice between engineered hardwood in kitchen and solid wood floors would depend on your personal preference.

Durability & upkeep

The strength and durability of hardwood floors – whether solid or engineered – cannot be overstated as compared to laminate flooring in Muskoka. When properly maintained, both can look beautiful for decades.

In terms of maintenance, solid and engineered flooring will benefit from being varnished every three to five years.

Budget

Solid hardwood is more expensive than engineered hardwood flooring, but there are a lot of variables one must consider. With a lifetime warranty, a superior finish, a specialized texture or an artistic staining technique, Solid Hardwood Flooring seems a worthy choice over laminated flooring solution in Rosedale.

Engineered hardwood is usually not that expensive until you opt for premium ranges, which are the next best options to solid hardwood floors. These flooring options may offer better durability, but have a thicker top layer that enables it for more sanding and refinishing techniques, or have unique designs.

Lifespan

A solid hardwood floor if properly maintained will last for 80 to 100 years, as compared to around 50 years for a well-maintained engineered floor.

The solid nature of hardwood flooring means that it can be sanded and refinished multiple times, giving it a fresh lease on life – and a longer lifespan. However, an engineered floor can practically only be refinished once, thus having a shorter lifespan.

Care & cleaning

Both solid and engineered floors are the lowest maintenance floors available in the market, requiring very little upkeep. A simple and regular sweep, occasional vacuuming, and damp mopping will do the trick.

Sound

Solid hardwood has a solid and louder sound and feel underfoot. Engineered hardwood flooring sounds hollow when you walk on it, especially if you go for a floating installation by laminated flooring company Forrest Hill. Stapling planks down will create a louder sound. Premium engineered hardwood ranges are thicker, so they also sound and feel just like a solid hardwood floor.

Now that you have read all this, let’s move on. Can you say that you’re an expert in flooring? Don’t worry if you aren’t. Flooring experts at Hardwood Flooring companies in Rosedale can help you. Either way, you can now easily make some decisions on your flooring project.